what are good axles for offroading?

[vern350]

I have a bunch of trucks/ parts available to me from 1973 to 1987. I was wondering if anyone knows what would be a good a good choice for axles, I have a 1987 3/4 gmc suburban. It has a 10 bolt front, and 14 bolt rear. Both i believe are corporates. Not sure of the gears,but has limited slip. I also have 3 other 14 bolt rears and one i know is the biggest version of the gm corporate bolts. What is the difference between full foater and semi and which is best. I have a 12 bolt front axle from a 78 chevy. I would really appreicate any comments. Only 16 and just getting into my own 4x4's. Thanks

[1FaastC10]

Dana 60 for the front, only available in 77+ 1 ton trucks. easily identifiable by the use of only 3 ubolts to attach it to the prings

14FF for the rear. identifiable by the 8 bolt flange in the center of the wheel that holds the axleshaft in. 14FF is better because the axles are under less stress, due to them not having to support the weight of the truck, as a SF axle does. the 10 and 12 bolt rears arent worth their weight as scrap offroad.

[784X4GUY]

Originally Posted by 1FaastC10

Dana 60 for the front, only available in 77+ 1 ton trucks. easily identifiable by the use of only 3 ubolts to attach it to the prings

14FF for the rear. identifiable by the 8 bolt flange in the center of the wheel that holds the axleshaft in. 14FF is better because the axles are under less stress, due to them not having to support the weight of the truck, as a SF axle does. the 10 and 12 bolt rears arent worth their weight as scrap offroad.

I agree man, I have a FF14 and that thing has held up to some serious abuse...Later Mike

[special-K]

And the 14-bolt FF has a 10.5"ring gear,SF has 9.5".Although the FF is best,The 14-bolt SF is a dang stout axle in it`s own right.

[784X4GUY]

Yeah it is very strong also, don't doubt ya abit...Later Mike

[vern350]

thanks, what would you recommend for a front axle, since i would like to use what i have? I don't have a dana 60. What is better offroad, a suburban or a pickup, or does it make a difference? Whatever it is its going to be 3/4 4x4.

[Hoods69BadBowTie]

I would say the pickup but that is my opinion. The FF 14Bolt in the rear is the way to go. I would use that 12 Bolt out of the '78 Chevy but I could be misunderstanding what you all got. Are you planning to jack it and putting bigger tires on it?
-Later

[1969 GMC]

This place is starting to sound like Pirate4x4. You don't NEED a dana 60 front axle. The 10 bolt that is in your suburban will work well. Go ahead and use the ff 14 bolt in the rear, like the others said. Its huge, but its reliable as day, strong, and cheap.

Also, there was never a 12 bolt front axle. Just the d44, 10 bolt, and d60.

[JIMs70GMC]

Depending on tire size your dana 44, 10 bolt front would be just fine. You could upgrade the axles and u-joints above stock. What type of off roading will you be doing? Or do you just want an all around good performer? Since you have 14 Bff I'd leave that there, and upgrade the traction device if it's a gov-bomb.

[vern350]

I won't be getting into extreme offroading. I would like a truck with a mildlift/tires so i can go off road when i want to and for the look. I probably don't need a dana 60, but since i got 2 FF14 rear ends, i might as well use one of them. The axles that i have on my suburban have limited slip. Would these axles be the way to go? I don't want to spend money and put lockers in. I'm trying to use, what i got. thanks

[special-K]

Sounds like you`re good to go.That front axle can run 35" tires fine.Limited-slip:you got it,keep it.Go 4-wheelin`,if you want more,get more.Since the 14-bolt can`t be beat and you have two,put the other in the front!Huh?Whatzat?Can`t steer?Dang,forgot about that.I drive a `91 3/4t 4wd Suburban w/4.10s in 10-bolt/14SF limited-slip,4"TuffCountry springs,and 35"Wrangler MT/Rs.It`s a brute,same as what you have.

[1FaastC10]

Originally Posted by 1969 GMC

This place is starting to sound like Pirate4x4. You don't NEED a dana 60 front axle.

apparently, you didnt read the question. please allow me to repost it for you.

what are good axles for offroading?

the Dana 44 and 10 bolt i have seen broken with 33" tires, ON THE STREET. he wants to go off the pavement, he asked what the good axles were, i answered his question.

[Hoods69BadBowTie]

Originally Posted by vern350

I have a 12 bolt front axle from a 78 chevy.

See, he does have a 12 Bolt front axle. I was n't seeing things. I would still use it up front if you can. The 10 Bolt up front is not bad but it does n't take as much abuse.
-Later

[special-K]

Better count those bolts again to be sure.Anyway,the 10-bolts are just as good as the 12-bolts.The bolts don`t do anything but hold the cover on,just a wat to ID.Actually the 10-bolt has a larger pinion bearing/shaft.As far as breaking axles go,except for extreme off-road use,dry pavement is harder on axles,u-joints,diffs,etc.Some of the most common off-road carnage occurs when hitting good traction while wheels are still churning hard or when one wheel finds traction and other side is still twirling away.Once getting into super-low ratios,like below 4:1,super heavy driveline becomes more crucial.Never hurts to have to much,that`s for sure.I`ve seen plenty of broken D60Fs,too.Just gotta try harder.Most of my broken axles have been(in front)from bad u-joints(outer axle)or inner spindle bearings.Those little suckers support the outer stub-shaft and alot of the inner.I learned to always replace them when servicing the hubs.

[1FaastC10]

Originally Posted by Hoods69BadBowTie

See, he does have a 12 Bolt front axle.

no such animal...

[1FaastC10]

Originally Posted by special-K

Better count those bolts again to be sure.Anyway,the 10-bolts are just as good as the 12-bolts.The bolts don`t do anything but hold the cover on,just a wat to ID.Actually the 10-bolt has a larger pinion bearing/shaft..

actually, the number of bolts refers to the number of bolts on the ring gear from what i have been told, its just coincidence that the cover bolts match. the advantage of the 10 bolt is the larger pinion bearings, the downside, smaller ring gear. 12 botl advantage, larger ring gears, disadvantage smaller pinion bearings. both are equally as weak.

[Destructo]

Originally Posted by 1FaastC10

actually, the number of bolts refers to the number of bolts on the ring gear from what i have been told, its just coincidence that the cover bolts match. the advantage of the 10 bolt is the larger pinion bearings, the downside, smaller ring gear. 12 botl advantage, larger ring gears, disadvantage smaller pinion bearings. both are equally as weak.

Yep, 10 bolts DO have 10 ring gear bolts, 12 bolt has 12, and 14 has 14 ring gear bolts, just so happens the cover uses the same amount of bolts

[TATE228]

rockwells off of those 2.5 ton 6x6's thats all i have to say about that.

[special-K]

I was just refering to the fact that the 12 bolts compared to 10 bolts(#of bolts)makes no matter.They are equally strong/weak.In this case more bolts doesn`t mean much.I never payed attention to ring bolts equal to cover bolts.Is that just on GM diffs?

[1969 GMC]

not necessarily...my Eaton has 14 ring gear bolts and 10 diff cover bolts. people still call it a "10 bolt" all the time, though. or a Ford 9 inch.

[Hoods69BadBowTie]

I was wondeing that myself, I did n't think they had made 12 bolts up front but he said he had one so I said use it but I don't know to much about 4x4s I am still learning.
Sorry for confusing every body.
-Later

[GenIIIShorty]

i personally prefer the dana 44 over the 10-bolt. the only difference between them is side and spider gears. if i remember correctly, the 10-bolt is a more square ratio (side/spiders the same size), whereas the dana 44 has larger sider gears/smaller spider gears. between the two of them, if i remember correctly, both the spline count and the actually axleshaft diameter are the same, so there is really only minor differences in the front cover and then in the carrier itself between them. if only one has a matching ratio to your 14FFs, then use that otherwise, go with the dana 44. by the way, i ran a 3/4 dana 44 with 38.5x14.50 swampers offroad and didn't break it (and yes, i know the only difference between a 3/4 and 1/2 ton 44 is the outers.) but the dana 60 is by far the best O.E. front axle. if you want one, i know where on is for 1200, just gone through (seals, bearings, etc.) i didn't wanna pay that much for a front axle, but it worth every penny.